Riding ponies

[NVA]

This is probably a stupid question (as are most of mine :) ), but is there any different technique/attitude required in riding little ponies to bigger horses? I've been riding a (gorgeous, wonderful, fantastic...better stop before I get carried away) schoolmistress recently who is around 14.3, and in general am happy on her and similar "am I a horse or a pony?" type sizes. I've been put on much bigger horses before (up to about 16h) but wasn't too comfortable. The only problem with the wonder-horse is that she doesn't jump (if she did I would have kidnapped her by now) and I want to have a few jump lessons. My instructor has pointed out to me the pony she recommends for the jump lessons and he is absolutely tiny! That's probably good...as less far to fall...and he should hopefully be able to carry me (I'm about 5ft 2 and just under / over 9 stone depending on whether it's a good or bad day).

I'm more than happy to try him out as it could be fun, but I've read so many posts on here about the difference in "personality / attitude etc" between horses and ponies that I wanted to check whether there was anything I should be aware of / should concentrate on doing / should be expecting (like it being really bouncy up there). I know that this is a really open ended question as presumably most of it depends on the specific pony, but if there are any hints or tips to get me in a "tiny pony" frame of mind then they would be welcome

Cheers
N

[Mehitabel]

you're about my size, and i regularly ride ponies of 12hh with no problem.

the strides will be a lot shorter, and often bouncier, so you'll have to think fast as things seem to be happening an awful lot quicker than on a big horse.
in general, they're sharper, brighter and cheekier than your average big chap.

[Wally]

Just take her as she comes. Get on and try her out. Be prepared as Es says for sharper , quicker moves but just get on and have fun.

Sæla is about 13.2hh and you'll not find a smoother trot anywhere on any big or small horse. Kina who is about 14hh has a trot which takes the fillings out of your teeth!:D :D Ljóssie is 13.1hh ish and you could drink champagne while riding him and not spill a drop. Cymro, who is about 14.2hh is much bouncier than the lot, take them as they come, you may be surprised. The Exmoor had a lovelly trot all 12hh of her.

[Sparkie]

I ride ponies and they're better than horses by far!! Well thats my opinion. The best one ever was a little black mare called Holly, bout 12hh. She was amazing, faster than some of the horses, and jumped anything.

[wildponies]

the jumps will feel bigger and when you fold for the jump you hardly have to go anywhere, i much prefer jumping ponies because i like the pace and the fizzyness of the whole thing.. but then again.. i am a BIG pony fan :D oh yeh and don't be surprised if you have loads of spare reins in your hands, i usually hold the reins in one hand when i'm jumping tiny ponies anyway but that's not a good idea, you'll love it!

[chev]

Echo what Es and Wally say about sharper! I ride my section A - and she can lose me faster than any other horse I've ridden. She just seems to vanish out from under me! She's also one of the very big moving old fashioned As, so to be honest her paces aren't hugely different to a 14.2hh riding pony type - she's actually very comfortable. It's her ability to turn on the spot that catches me out!

i have jumped her, small loggy things out hacking, and the one thing I found was that I have once or twice come close to catching the jump with my foot. That said, May is only 11.2hh and I'm 5' 4" with rather long legs, so you might find a small pony takes up your leg more than mine anyway.

Go and have fun! Good ponies make fantastic teachers. Enjoy it!

[jUmPingIsLifE]

every pony i have ever come into contact with has been cute and had that "i didn't do it look'' but every single one of them have been stubbern little devils:D i love ponies to death because they all seem to have that little horrible streak in them that horses don't allways have.

[NVA]

Thanks for all the replies - although I was expecting the cute and tiny Marmite I actually ended up on the delightfully named "Spider" (who didn't seem to like moving, let alone jumping) who I think must be around 14hh, and since then have been on Fair Fillys Lucky who is a chunky 14.3, so haven't been able to put any of this into practice yet. Hopefully I will soon as having read your replies I do want to; I need sharpening up so think it will do me some good. Watch this space...

N